With the rate of optimum efficiency increasing globally, most countries are seeking and devising new strategies and systems through the application of modern technology to achieve this goal, especially in the arena of international air transport.

“International air transport is the fastest growing segment of transport. It performs a major function in the globalisation process and is a significant feature of the late 20th century. Public policy regarding international air transport has undergone many changes in recent years as markets liberalised and airlines privatised.

“New management techniques, partly stimulated by enhanced information technology systems, have resulted in significant changes on the air services supply side. Aircraft and air traffic control systems have improved. These developments pose new challenges for those responsible for overall policy and for those supplying air transport services,” according to Kenneth Button’s article on ‘The Usefulness of Current International Air Transport Statistics’.

Airport Technology.com, in its article on the European air traffic network, highlighted the fact that the European air traffic network has continued to grow in volume and complexity. Managing it demands that many priorities are dealt with simultaneously, with the need for greater efficiency being balanced by the need to maintain – or improve – levels of security and safety. Now with the spotlight turning towards airports and the role they must play in adding capacity and reducing delays. It would seem that little progress has been made in this area, and the need continues to be ever growing.

George Paulson, director of Eurocontrol’s ATM programme, says, “We have a one minute and ten seconds delay to departures, and the same on the airport side. So there is now a major initiative to reduce delays and increase efficiency at airports. Runway incursions, for example, can be a major problem, and we include that in our brief.”

According to Eurocontrol’s data, ten European airports create 50% of the delays. More generally, 30 European airports are responsible for 90% of delays. The solution to the problem of increasing capacity is unlikely to come from adding runways or constructing new airports. Another way must be found.

“We have to make use of what we have,” says Paulson. “Gatwick and Heathrow, for instance, are at the limit of their capacity, so we have to look at improving airside efficiency, working with the national authorities and ATC service providers.”

He added it is here that the collaborative decision-making initiative will perhaps have the most traction.

Our lone international airport, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), in recent years have undergone a dramatic transformation from the run down and dilapidated state it was in a couple of decades ago. At that time it could have been easily ranked among the worst in the world, with leaky roofs, atrocious washrooms, poor lighting facilities, lack of water supply and lousy service by airport personnel etc.

However, when this government assumed office in 1992, it correctly embarked upon a continuous programme to upgrade the airport to bring it to international standards, and today it has indeed taken the shape of what an international airport should be like. Both the physical infrastructure and the quality of service have improved tremendously.

And so the recent disclosure of further plans to improve the efficiency and quality of service at the international facility is a most welcome one.

According to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, one of the latest technologies being targeted for implementation at the CJIAC is the Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE). This technology allows airlines to check-in passengers at any counter at the airport.

An agreement was signed yesterday at the Ministry of Public Works and Communication with CJIAC, airlines and SITA (the international company providing the technology) to implement ‘CUTE’ in Guyana.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Mr. Robeson Benn is optimistic that this technology will upgrade the facilities with regard to passengers’ management check-in and there is an anticipated reduction in waiting time.

“The airlines can share data and share efforts while operating, and so they’ll be in a more respectable environment with respect to people checking in and passengers handling and operating at Cheddi Jagan International Airport”, Minster Benn said.

The Minster indicated that he is pleased that the airlines agreed to this venture to provide better services to passengers.

Chief Executive Officer of CJIA Mr. Ramesh Ghir explained that the airport corporation has been in contact with the airlines and SITA for the past two years to ensure that the airport sourced the right equipment.

‘CUTE’, he said, will be time efficient and convenient for frequent travellers.

Passengers will be able to clearly identify airlines and there will be new flight information display system to aid travellers. There will be two kiosks for persons to check themselves in.

Mr. Rasheed Mohamed, Accounts Director of SITA, noted that other countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, are utilising this technology from SITA which has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mohamed said the airport stands to benefit greatly from CUTE since it avoids costly expansion. It may be used as a means to encourage new service providers since they do not have to worry about setting up their own facilities at the airport.

So the CJIA is on the road to chalking up yet another improvement as efforts continue to further improve the efficiency and quality of service at the facility.